In the high-stakes poker game of NFL contracts, Jones is playing with a hand that’d make even the coolest card shark sweat. But according to Cowboys legend Jimmy Johnson, the man’s not bluffing – he’s just caught in a Texas-sized bind that’s got more twists than a Dallas soap opera.

As the Dallas rumor mill churns faster than a tornado in Tornado Alley, Johnson stepped up to the plate, offering a seasoned perspective on Jerry’s juggling act. “He’s really in a bind,” Johnson mused on The Herd today, painting a picture of a GM facing a triple threat of star players all gunning for top dollar. It’s like trying to fit three ten-gallon hats on one head – something’s gotta give.

The crux of the matter? Jones is wrestling with contract negotiations for not one, not two, but three Cowboys stars (Micah Parsons, Lamb, and Prescott) who each want to be the highest-paid player at their position. Johnson didn’t pull any punches, admitting, “He made a mistake by not resigning them uh earlier than what he’s been doing right now.”

But here’s where it gets spicy. Johnson points out that this isn’t just a Cowboys conundrum – it’s an NFL-wide epidemic. “The entire League’s got a problem here,” he declared, highlighting the quarterback quandary that’s got owners across the nation reaching for their checkbooks and antacids in equal measure.

The root of all this financial frenzy? According to Johnson, it’s the escalating quarterback market. “Good quarterbacks are demanding great money,” he explained, adding a zinger that’ll have fans nodding in agreement, “and they’re not great quarterbacks, they’re not great players, but because their contract is up, they’re going to be the highest paid player at that position.” It’s enough to make you wonder if the NFL stands for “Now Fiscally Ludicrous.”

Cowherd calls foul on Jerry’s contract juggling act

While Johnson plays defense for Jerry, Colin Cowherd’s coming in hot with a full-court press. The outspoken sports pundit isn’t buying what Jerry’s selling, especially when it comes to handling the team’s brightest stars.

“I don’t love the way he handles these stars,” Cowherd grumbled, clearly frustrated with Jones’ approach to contract negotiations. He laid out his philosophy plain and simple: “If you draft a guy in the first round and he hits and he’s at a valuable position, just get the contract done, get it out of the news cycle.” Cowherd even accused Jones of trying to “squeeze extra juice out of it to get free publicity,” a claim that’s sure to ruffle some feathers in Jerry World.

Cowherd’s not alone in his criticism. Former NFL wide receiver James Jones jumped into the fray, backing CeeDee Lamb’s holdout with the enthusiasm of a fourth-quarter comeback. “CeeDee is the offense,” Jones declared, adding fuel to the fire by comparing Lamb’s value to that of the $40 million man Dak Prescott. Lamb’s 2023 stats back up the claim – he led the league with 135 receptions, racked up 1,749 receiving yards, and scored 12 touchdowns.

But it’s not just about the money – it’s about the message. Damien Woody, speaking on ESPN’s Unsportsmanlike Radio show, called out the Cowboys for being “last in the league every year in spending.” He pointed to other teams making big moves, like the 49ers signing Christian McCaffrey to a record deal, while asking pointedly about the Cowboys, “What moves have the Dallas Cowboys done? Tell me!” This criticism hits harder when you consider that Jones bought the team for $150 million in 1989, and it’s now valued at a whopping $10 billion.

As the clock ticks down to kickoff, all eyes are on Jerry World. Will Jones pull off a last-minute Hail Mary and secure his stars? Or will his contract strategy fumble at the goal line? With Lamb facing potential fines of $40,000 per day and nearly $1 million for missing preseason games, the stakes couldn’t be higher. One thing’s for sure – in Dallas, the drama off the field is rivaling anything you’ll see between the hash marks. As Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons put it, guaranteeing Lamb’s Week 1 appearance, “On Week 1, he will be suiting up for the Dallas Cowboys.” Only time will tell if that prediction is as solid as a Texas handshake or as fleeting as prairie dust.